Top seed Simona Halep jokes that she is ‘starting to like’ the Australian Open and with good reason too.
The world No.1 breezed her way past Karolina Pliskova in straight sets on Wednesday, winning nine consecutive games at one point. There were no signs of injury or tiredness affecting the Romanian during what has been a roller coaster tournament. Last week she rolled her ankle during her first round match. Then in the third round, she battled past Lauren Davis in a match lasting almost four hours. It has been quite a battle for Halep, who hails her latest win as her best yet.
“I think it was a great match. The best this tournament.” She stated.”I started slow a little bit. Then I got used to the rhythm. I got used to everything. I played very well.”
Halep’s one-sided triumph continues her dominance against the Czech player. She now leads the former US Open finalist 7-1 in their head-to-head. According to the 26-year-old, she has the winning record because ‘she can read the game’ of her rival.
“I can say I can read her game a little bit better. But still every match is difficult.” Explained Halep. “You never know with her because she has crazy good shots sometimes and also the serve.”
Becoming the first Romanian woman in history to reach the last four in Melbourne, Halep will next take on Angelique Kerber. The German 21st seed looked just as impressive during her triumph over Madison Keys, dropping only three games. Both Halep and Kerber are on a 10-match winning streak after winning tournaments leading into Melbourne. Halep triumphed in Shenzhen and Kerber was successful in Sydney.
“For sure it is going to be a second marathon this tournament. But I’m used to that. I know her pretty well.” She joked in reference to her third round clash with Davis.
“I know she’s very strong opponent, very strong player. She likes it here. But I started to like this tournament. After two years in a row, losing in the first round, now it’s a better result.
“I just want to go there and to give everything I have, like I did the last matches.”
Two-time grand slam champion Kerber expressed similar comments following her quarter-final match. She has defeated Halep five times out their nine meetings. Although they haven’t played each other since 2016.
“I think it will be a long match with a lot of long rallies. I played against her a lot of times, and it was always tough and close.” Kerber said about facing Halep.
The pressure is mounting for Halep, who is now only two wins from claiming her maiden grand slam title. Still, she refuses to focus on how close she is to achieving one of the biggest goals of her career.
“I’m not thinking about the result. It’s really tough to think about that because of all the things that I had.” The world No.1 said.
“Now I’m just trying to play everything I have and to play the best to win it.”
The semifinal match between Halep and Kerber will take place on Thursday.
